It won’t surprise any of the people closest to me to hear how much I STILL miss my best friend/sister from the 1970’s through the end of that century.
My confession today though, is just how much. I try not to think about her, or talk about her, but every now and then in our professional worlds, she and I still cross paths, and it all floods back. So many years ago now, but our friendship (our sisterhood) was so easy, so equal. I always felt as important to her as she was to me.
Though she and I had off and on problems, all friendships do, the wonderful thing we had for so long was daily contact…someone to check in with, or be checked on by. I have never found that again.
I know it was partly our age and that stage of life way back then. Our living proximity (including together for a while), and all our common problems acted like friendship-glue, especially ex-husbands, money, new loves, single mom-ing-an-only-child, etc.). These things simply insisted on, and required daily updates.
I couldn’t tell you now what happened, or why, or even my part in it, but the “sisterhood” ended…in my memory now, rather abruptly.
I’ve never come close to replacing that connection.
I have made a few gentle gestures towards her over the years, and her response has always been gracious and kind, but also brief and singular. And my biggest secret is just how often I imagine grand gestures, followed by a grand reunion, much more congruent for our early years as friends and sisters. I play out these scenes in my head a couple times a year….or any time I drive to my city’s downtown, because I pass within just a half block of her house.
This last couple of Pandemic Years, I am contemplating my life, my mortality.
And on top of that ongoing threat, I have had several non-Covid related deaths close to me. I know I am not alone in any of that. None of the “normal” life-losses simply screeched to a halt just because of this stupid virus. They just kept on happening.
But it’s created a whopper of an existential crisis for many, and a profound sense of panic. Better hurry up!!
There are so many things I just can’t put off, or wait around for, any longer. Things I must act on NOW, if I’m ever going to.
I have to decide about selling my house.
I have to get that Dream Camper.
I have to tell, really tell, my people how lucky I have been to have had you in my life.
And, I decided, finally, I absolutely have to reach out to my old best friend/sister.
So in the throes of that emotion, I drove down toward the street that passes her house. As I got close, I pulled over into a parking lot, and sat for 10 minutes, thinking, getting grounded, psyching myself up.
It was Grand Gesture time. Dramatic I know, but hey, contemplating your remaining days is dramatic. I rehearsed my speech, making sure I was loving and hopefully, unconditional.
And knowing it was an extreme long shot that she was even be home, I drove to her house…..
This is what I found.
I have no idea what this means, where she is or if she’s even alive, but hard Lesson Learned….again.
Procrastination is a risky f-ing game!
Wow.
Good to get a response from you XinfuMama, but not sure how to interpret it…🤔
I can only imagine your reaction. (Long story why I even think I could begin to understand…) Mine would be WTF ??!!
Prayrers for you as you ponder what – if anything – to do next.
Thanks so much. Appreciate your response!
Been having very similar thoughts lately, mortality, little time, things I’ve put off, procrastination not good even for the little things let alone some on some big ones!!
So sorry. I know how it hurts your heart.